CHEAP 309 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-258-5878, cheapinsoho.com. Offering something for everyone with a menu of Spanish tapas, Japanese sushi (with a twist), pork-laden "pigzas", burgers and more. Check out their all-you-can-eat-and-drink "Supper Club" for $20, Tuesday through Saturday, from 5:30 until 7:30.
CEVICHE 1502 South Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-250-0203, cevichetapas.com. Known for their tasty tapas and infamous sangria. The Flamenco Room is a great spot for late-night eats and dancing.
CICCIO'S /WATER CALIFORNIA CUISINE 1015 S. Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-8406, soho.cicciostampabay.com. Cali-Asian fusion with stir frys, small plates, pizzas, wraps, salads and a huge sushi menu.
CIRO'S SPEAKEASY AND SUPPER CLUB 2109 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa. 813-251-0022.
The cocktail list reads like a retro-modern bar fantasy: old drinks made with modern ingredients, new drinks made in the old ways. The food itself is modern American, with appreciative glances toward steakhouse lounge cuisine and foodie buzz-ingredients, like duck fat fries or pork belly on a pizza. --Brian Ries
DAILY EATS 901 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-868-3335, dailyeatstampa.com. They've got your four square meals covered -- breakfast, lunch, dinner and "night breakfast" -- with their stick-to-your-ribs diner fare. Try the ice cream-laden desserts.
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DUBLINER IRISH PUB 2307 W Azeele St, Tampa. 813-258-2257, thedublineririshpub.com. A popular Irish pub hangout just off of Howard Avenue with a bevy of beer, booze and hearty pub fare. Enjoy live music on the side porch Wednesday through Saturday nights.
EVOS 2274 609 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-258-3867, evos.com. The "Greenest Burger Chain in America" offers fast food without the high calories and guilt. Veg options can be substituted for any meat in the wraps and sandwiches.
FROSTINGS ETC. 500 South Howard Ave Suite F, Tampa. 813-443-5047, frostingsetc.com. Another place to get specialty cupcakes in Tampa Bay. Frostings has some inventive offerings like the Champagne Pear Bellini cupcake and the Guinness cupcake made with, you guessed it, Guinness beer!
GOURMET PIZZA COMPANY 610 S Armenia Ave, Tampa. 813-258-1999, gourmetpizza-company.com. Drop by for a slice before you hit the bars, grab a pizza to-go or have it delivered. Proffering plenty of unique ingredients, like Cajun crawfish and smoked Gouda, as well as salads, flatbreads, pasta, and gluten-free and vegan options.
HOOKER TEA 223 S. Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-443-5797, hookertea.com. Hooker Tea is a zen-like oasis from the crowded bars on South Howard, serving a variety of teas from around the globe, tea-based drinks and locally-made pastries. Also serves a light breakfast menu every day.
HUGO'S SPANISH 931 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-2842. Proving that affordable food can be found in SoHo, Hugo's serves up classic Latin comfort food and one of the best Cuban sandwiches in the Bay.
KOTO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI 533 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-964-6808, kotosteakhouse.com. Like three spots rolled into one: a hibachi steakhouse, a sushi restaurant with classic rolls and a lively bar.
THE LIME 915 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-868-5463, thelimetampa.com. Offering a South American-inspired menu of salads, sandwiches and such in a classy sports bar atmosphere (yes, I just used "classy" and "sports" bar in the same sentence). Check out their "Weekend Brunchtacular".
THE LODGE 516 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-5634, lodgetampa.com. A restaurant that doubles as a bar/hang-out scene at night. The large menu is made up mostly of classic American dishes with fun twists: Mac n' cheese pizza, "American sushi" -- with additions like mojo pork and buffalo chicken added to rolls -- and food served in TV dinner trays. Serves a late-night menu and brunch on the weekends.
MACDINTON'S 405 S Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-8999, macdintons.com. Quite possibly the only bar in SoHo that doesn't have a "slow night," as it's always filled with college kids, adult kickball team after parties and European sports fanatics. Besides the beer and liquor, they also have a small menu of British pub fare. Fridays from 6-8 p.m. is "Crazy Happy Hour" with a $10 open bar -- but don't forget to bring a DD!
RIBIT'S BBQ 401 S Howard Ave, Tampa; 813-817-4909, ribitsbbq.com. After doing the bar crawl up and down Howard in SoHo, stop at this garage-turned-BBQ joint for Alabama-style pork ribs, North Carolina pulled pork or Georgia-style smoked sausage. Open until 3 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
SIDEBERN'S 2208 W Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, sideberns.com. SideBern’s has a decadent six-course tasting menu created that changes with the seasons as SideBern’s Chef Chad Johnson utilizes local and sustainable sources whenever possible. If you're dining on the cheap, check out the Cocktail Hour menu from 5-7 p.m. with $6 appetizers, $5 glasses of wine, cocktail specials and $3 draft beers.
YARD OF ALE 406 S Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-4433, yardofalesoho.com. Yard of Ale is the place to go in SoHo for craft beer -- and a lot of it. As the name describes, patrons can get any of the numerous draft beers served in yard glasses, (which isn't really 3-ft., but it's big nonetheless). There's also a small menu of gourmet small plates, pizzas and nibbles at very reasonable prices. For the non-beer drinkers, they also offer a decent wine list.
Top photo: James Ostrand; bottom photo courtesy Cheap.
